Live from Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Crowd Size: 26,500
SEGMENT ONE
The screen is black.
A single bootstep echoes.
Then the opening pulse of Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” crawls in.
“You can run on for a long time…”
The words hang as the first image flickers to life.
Three rings sit side by side under dim lights, steel and canvas waiting like open graves.
The beat drops, and the video cuts to a shot of Will Ospreay.
Slow motion. Sweat dripping from his jaw. The AEW World Championship rests on his shoulder, his ribs taped. His eyes aren’t on the camera… he’s staring past it, toward something only he can see.
Cut to Kenny Omega.
Tape is being pulled tight around his wrist. The sound of it snapping is sharp, violent. He looks up, eyes hollowed by memory and obsession.
Their last collision flashes: forearms colliding, bodies folding, a V-Trigger mid-impact—frozen.
“Sooner or later, God’s gonna cut you down.”
The screen splits. Ospreay on one side. Omega on the other.
The rhythm hardens, and we cut to a shot of the Brisoces.
Mud on their boots. Blood on their teeth. Jay Briscoe snarls into the camera as Mark cracks his neck, knuckles white with anticipation.
There’s a sharp cut to The Young Bucks. Gold glinting under arena lights. Smirks tight with arrogance. Superkicks land in rapid succession — flash, flash, flash — until the screen shakes from the impact.
A single spotlight snaps on Timeless Toni Storm. We see it in black and white. A director’s chair turned slightly away. She exhales smoke, unimpressed, unafraid.
Color bleeds back in, and we see Becky Lynch, hair wild. Eyes burning. We see clips of her destroying Storm’s soundstage, before the montage cuts to Jade Cargill.
She is power incarnate. Muscles coiled. She doesn’t look angry. She looks inevitable. The camera tilts up as she raises her chin, daring the world to try her.
The song swells again, as we see flashes of last year’s Elite Warfarematch. Bodies flying over ropes. Elbows smashing jaws. A man hangs from the apron—boots kicking—before disappearing into the void.
The camera pulls higher, higher, until the rings look small — until the men inside look expendable.
We see final rapid fire shots of:
Ospreay leaping—frozen mid-air.
Omega roaring as he charges.
The Briscoes swinging chairs.
The Bucks superkicking through gold.
Storm standing tall as bodies fall around her.
Becky screaming into the void.
Jade staring straight down the lens.
The music cuts dead.
Silence.
A single graphic slams onto the screen:
ELITE WARFARE
Match #1 | AEW World Heavyweight Championship
‘The Aerial Assassin’ Will Ospreay (C) vs. Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega is out first, as the LED screen lights up with the words, “The Best Bout Machine,” followed by “The Cleaner.” The tron fills up with a silhouette image of a bird flapping one wing, before switching to fire as Omega walks to the stage.
Arn Anderson: 105 days ago, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay had a bloody, 36-minute classic that ended in controversy, as Hangman Adam Page inadvertently distracted Omega, leading to Ospreay scoring the victory.
Kevin Kelly: The last three months, the lows we’ve seen this once great man sink to have been shocking and vile. Omega’s taken the True Elite under his leadership in Page’s absence, and tonight he’s promising to bring that title home by any means necessary!
Arn Anderson: What did playing by the rules ever get Kenny Omega, though, Kevin? I’m not sayin’ I agree with his actions, but the results can’t be questioned. Omega’s an AEW original. He’s been here since day one. And it eats him alive that guys like Will Ospreay have come to BWM Inc. and “skipped the line.”
The lights dim, and with an orchestral score, the tron lights up with dramatic montage footage of the Aerial Assassin as the music swells. As the screen fades to black, a piano solo plays the opening bars of “Elevated” before it reaches a crescendo, and the actual theme song starts playing. The crowd is on its feet as Ospreay appears, and fireworks erupt.
Kevin Kelly: Arn, and then we’ve got that man! The Aerial Assassin. In an industry full of legends that have cast the longest of shadows, it’s fallen on men like Will Ospreay to shine the brightest. Not to erase those who’ve come before him, but to show what lies beyond.
Arn Anderson: As AEW World Heavyweight Champion, the young man from Essex has been tasked with carrying the heavy weight of BWM Inc. on his shoulders. Forget The Rock. Forget the Undisputed Championship of the World of Wrestling. Heavy is the head who wears the crown, and so long as this company remains on top, and likewise, Ospreay on top of this company, there’s no disputing that he’s the best in the world!
Kevin Kelly: These two men have battled all over the world. From the Tokyo Dome in Japan to that epic encounter they had at Fall Brawl, tonight, both men know that this is their opportunity to silence the doubters.
Arn Anderson: It’s deeply personal, Kevin. As we alluded to, Omega has sold his soul to get back into the title scene, betraying Ospreay and his former longtime friend Bryan Danielson this past summer. A man who once chastized Adam Page for doing the same found himself repeating Hangman’s moves. Will it take him as far as it did Hangman? Is Kenny Omega just three seconds away from the grandest prize of them all?
Both men come face to face, as senior office Michael McMahon stands between them. McMahon takes the championship as Jane Mouse delivers the introductions.
The bell sounds, and the crowd in Toronto is instantly on its feet. Omega darts at Ospreay’s legs for a takedown, but Ospreay locks in a front facelock as they jockey to their feet. They grapple around the ring, as Omega locks in an arm lock. Ospreay flips through, bounces off the mat, and reverses it into an arm drag take down.
Both men bounce to their feet, and Ospreay goes for another takedown. This time, it’s Omega that gets control, flipping Ospreay to the mat with a side headlock. He wrenches it on, as Ospreay tries to keep his shoulders off the mat. Ospreay’s able to get back to his feet, though Omega still has the headlock latched in. Ospreay hits the ropes, creating some separation. On the rebound, Omega takes him down with a shoulder block.
Ospreay immediately kips up, as the crowd roars in approval. They come face to face, taunting one another, as Omega shoves Ospreay. Ospreay’s quick to shove him back, and the two begin trading violent open-handed palm strikes to the face. Ospreay gets the best of Omega, stunning him with a big slap and backing him into the corner. He begins to unleash calculated right hands, earning a brief admonishment from the ref, before whipping Omega into the opposite corner. He charges, but Omega hits him with the boot!
Kevin Kelly: Ospreay needs to keep his temper in check, Arn. No doubt, referee Michael McMahon will give them both a bit of leeway, but it’s a short leash, and neither man wants to see this end in a disqualification.
Omega is still in the corner, and Ospreay charges again. Omega flips over him, rolling off his back. Ospreay turns, and Omega hits a hurricanrana, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay fires back with a hurricanrana of his own, which sends Omega sliding under the bottom rope and to the outside!
Arn Anderson: I don’t know if he slid out of the ring on purpose, but a smart move by Omega to step out of bounds and catch his breath!
Ospreay wastes no time, hopping the ropes with a big plancha!
Kevin Kelly: You’ve got to defend every inch of the outside of this ring against Ospreay — that’s the athleticism he brings!
Ospreay sends Omega reeling into the barricade, his back taking the brunt of the impact. Omega sells it like death as Ospreay picks him up with a handful of hair and tosses him back inside. Ospreay tries to springboard back into the ring, but Omega charges and knocks him off, sending him flying from the ropes and into the barricade!
Ospreay immediately clutches his lower back as the crowd groans at the nasty landing.
Kevin Kelly: Oh my God, what a rough landing for the champ!
Arn Anderson: Lest we forget, Kevin, he’s just two weeks or so removed from that battle with Jay White. Those ribs are still bruised, Chris Hyatte confirmed it!
With Ospreay writhing in pain, Omega rolls to the outside and grabs him by the hair. He tosses him back inside. Omega delivers some clubbing blows to Ospreay’s back, but the champion manages to get to his feet. Omega lifts him into the fireman’s carry position, rolls through, dumping Ospreay onto the mat, and leaps to the top rope where he connects with a picture-perfect moonsault into the cover!
1…
2…
Ospreay gets the shoulder up!
Arn Anderson: Kenny Omega’s had this date circled on his calendar for some time. Unlike Ospreay, he hasn’t had to wrestle much, and he’s clearly been hitting the gym. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Omega in this good of shape!
Omega watches as Ospreay gets to his feet, sending him into the ropes once he does. He catches him with a massive hip toss, followed by a brutal side kick to Ospreay’s back!
Kevin Kelly: I spoke to Kenny earlier tonight about that, Arn. I told him Ospreay’s in incredible shape, too, even with the injured ribs. Omega told me Ospreay’s problem’s never been his conditioning — it’s what’s between his ears. Omega said guys like Ospreay crack under pressure, and as Omega continues to dominate, I can’t say he’s totally wrong!
Omega sends him into the corner and chokes him with a boot to the throat. He whips Ospreay hard to the other side, and Ospreay’s lower back collides with the turnbuckles as he collapses.
Omega taunts the booing crowd as he stomps away on Ospreay’s back. He lifts him and whips him into the corner again, but this time Ospreay pumps the brakes and stops himself, striking Omega behind him with a back elbow. Ospreay tries to position Omega for a piledriver, but Omega shoves him off and kicks him hard, sending him flying back into the turnbuckle!
Omega quickly scoops him up and drops him across his knee with a violent back breaker!
Kevin Kelly: The human body’s not meant to bend that way!
Omega covers again, but Ospreay again gets his shoulder up at two, grimacing as he lifts it off the mat.
Omega continues to control the pace of the match, stomping away on Ospreay and throwing knees to his ribs. Omega charges, but Ospreay catches him with a flapjack, dumping his neck across the top rope. As Omega bounces and turns around, he nearly gets his head taken off by Ospreay’s boot!
Arn Anderson: A hard-hitting, Japanese-style bout tonight from two guys who know each other as well as I knew guys like Jesse Ventura! Happy retirement to The Body, by the way!
Ospreay tries to lift him for the suplex, but Omega blocks it and lifts Ospreay for a suplex of his own. In the air, Ospreay twists and reverses it into a stunner! The crowd is ravenous, but Ospreay’s back and ribs are hurting, and he can’t immediately capitalize.
As both men get back to their feet, Omega whips Ospreay into the ropes. He nails his patented handless handspring corkscrew, the kick sending Omega reeling. Ospreay’s fired up as he springboards from the top rope with a diving forearm.
Arn Anderson: Will Ospreay is at his best when his confidence is at a high. He’s building that right now with these offensive maneuvers.
Ospreay covers, hooking the leg for his first pinfall attempt of the bout.
1…
Omega kicks out right before McMahon can get to two!
Kevin Kelly: It’s going to take a tremendous amount for either man to score a pinfall victory over the other.
Ospreay gets to his knees and briefly clutches his back before getting to his feet. He positions Omega between his legs and goes for a powerbomb, but Omega grabs a hold and refuses to allow him to lift him. Ospreay lets go, grabs Omega by the hair, and begins kicking him repeatedly in the face!
After the third or fourth kick, Ospreay positions him again, this time lifting him! Omega flips through and lands on his feet, answering with a thunderous chop to Ospreay’s chest. Omega hits the ropes and charges, but Ospreay hits him with the step-up backflip kick (dropsault), followed by an eziguri!
Both men are down, as the crowd tries to will him to his feet. The two simultaneously roll to the apron, as Ospreay tries to lock on the Stormbreaker. Omega fights it off, and the two trade chops as the crowd does the infamous “Boo! Yay!” spot.
Ospreay catches him with a hook kick, but Omega clutches the top rope as he nearly falls to his knees. Ospreay seizes on the opportunity and leaps to the corner, flying back at Omega for the OsCutter! Omega moves, and Ospreay crashes hard on the apron before falling to the floor below!
Arn Anderson: A great counter by Omega, hooking that top rope!
Omega rolls off the apron and reaches under the ropes, retrieving a table! The crowd gasps as commentary says Omega is walking a dangerous line. He covers Ospreay with the table and mocks him, shouting “Oi!” before going to the apron. Kenny takes a few steps forward and jumps, delivering a hellacious Coup de Grace onto the table, on top of Ospreay!
Kevin Kelly: There’s a hole in that table where Omega just landed! That means there are shards of wood in Ospreay’s spine!
Omega slides in to break the count, which has reached eight. Ospreay gets a fresh boost of energy and drags Omega back outside by his foot, and slams him into the barricade! The champ unloads with thunderous rights as the crowd comes alive. Ospreay suplexes Omega onto the remains of the table, as the crowd gasps!
Arn Anderson: A catastrophic landing for Kenny Omega!
Omega rolls around on the floor in agony as Ospreay returns to the apron, climbing the ropes. Without even looking over his shoulder, Ospreay delivers a breathtaking Skytwister Press to Omega on the floor!
Kevin Kelly: The crowd explodes here in Toronto! My God, how good is this kid?!
McMahon again gets close to the 10-count, but Ospreay refuses to let it end like that. He rolls Omega back inside and again ascends the ropes. Omega gets to his knees, and Ospreay leaps with a Hidden Blade to the back of the head from the top rope!
He rolls Omega through and covers him!
1…
2…
2.999!
Kevin Kelly: How did Omega kick out of that?!
Ospreay gets back to his feet and signals for the OsCutter! As Omega stumbles to his feet, Ospreay leaps! Omega catches him at the last moment, whipping him chest-first into the ropes. On the rebound, Omega leaps up with a V-Trigger to the back of Ospreay’s head! Poisonrana! Ospreay stumbles on his feet, totally out of it, as Omega lifts him and dumps him with the Aoi Shoudo (a brainbuster into a neckbreaker across the knee)! Omega covers!
1…
2…
2.999!
Ospreay stays alive!
Arn Anderson: That was not an emphatic kick out from the champion.
Kevin Kelly: It was not, but it was enough to stop McMahon’s count!
Frustration grows on Omega’s face as he pulls himself up with the ropes. He pulls Ospreay up from behind, looking for the dragon suplex. Ospreay blocks it, but Omega answers immediately with kicks to the ribs. Omega sets him perched on the ropes and follows him to the top… DRAGON SUPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE!!! OSPREAY FLIPS THROUGH! He measures Omega… OSCUTTER CONNECTS!
1…
2…
Thre—
Omega gets the shoulder up!
Kevin Kelly: We are witnessing something special here tonight, Arn, and it’s only the opening bout!
Arn Anderson: Both of these men want nothing more than to leave Toronto with the AEW World Heavyweight Championship!
Desperate to create some separation, Omega rolls to the apron. Ospreay climbs the ropes and reaches over, grabbing Omega by his hair and pulling him up. They teeter on the ropes as they trade punches. Ospreay looks to get the better of him and goes for the Spanish Fly, but Kenny blocks it with a DDT onto the top turnbuckle!!!
Kevin Kelly: What a dangerous counter!
Ospreay falls to the floor, and when he rolls to his back, the camera reveals that he’s busted wide open! Anderson says he thought Ospreay’s head hit the top turnbuckle, but after seeing that gash, he worries Ospreay’s head hit the post. As Ospreay rolls to sit up, the camera reveals a puddle of blood on the mats on the outside of the ring!
The crowd implores Ospreay to get back to his feet, and he tries to use the rail to lift himself, only to fall. Omega breaks the count, returns to the center of the ring, and leaps over the ropes with a flipping splash!
Arn Anderson: Look at the excitement on the face of the challenger! He’s loving this!
Kevin Kelly: This is, no doubt, Kenny Omega’s match to lose right now! He’s got Ospreay on the proverbial ropes!
Omega grabs the table from earlier and sets it up against the guardrail. Omega grabs a handful of Ospreay’s hair. He slams his face into the table repeatedly, staining it with Ospreay’s blood. As McMahon threatens to disqualify him, Omega rolls Ospreay back inside.
Back inside, he dumps the champion on his head with a piledriver! He mounts him and begins hammering down stiff shots to open the wound even more.
Kevin Kelly: Ospreay’s in a very bad way!
Omega hits a snap dragon suplex, dumping Ospreay on the back of his head. He lits him and delivers another one, as Ospreay’s eyes glaze over. The champ is completely out of it!
Omega leans Ospreay up against the middle rope and does a handgun signal. He shouts ,”BANG” as he calls for the V-Trigger! Ospreay grabs a hold of Omega’s boot, trying to avoid the move.
Kevin Kelly: Ospreay’s desperate, Arn!
Arn Anderson: He’s forestalling the inevitable here, Kevin!
Omega drops heavy knees into Ospreay’s ribs, causing him to let go of the boot. He picks him up and drops him with a sickening doubleunderhook piledriver! He covers!
1…
2…
2.999!
Ospreay gets his boot on the bottom rope!
Ospreay tries to pull himself up with the bottom rope, but Kenny charges and connects with the V-Trigger! The impact sends Ospreay sprawling to the outside!
Slowly, methodically, Omega slides under the ropes to retrieve the challenger. He rolls Ospreay’s lifeless body back inside and measures him from the apron. Omega climbs to the top, and Ospreay staggers to his feet. He hits the ropes, causing Omega to crotch himself up high!
Arn Anderson: Was that situational awareness, or just good fortune for Ospreay?
Ospreay tries to climb the ropes to meet Omega, but he slips off the second rope. Kelly says the usually sure-footed Ospreay doesn’t seem to know where he is. Ospreay slaps himself across the face twice, trying to will some focus into himself. He climbs again, looking for a hurricanrana, but this time Omega slides through and hits him with a variation of a flapjack, as Ospreay’s jaw collides with the middle turnbuckle!
With Ospreay still perched in the corner, Omega charges with a V-Trigger to the back of the head! He lifts Ospreay to the top rope and drops him on the back of his head with a sickening German suplex!
Omega folds him up for the cover, but Ospreay rolls out at two and returns to his knees. Omega bounces off the ropes… V-TRIGGER TO THE FACE!
1…
2…
Thre—
OSPREAY WEAKLY GETS HIS SHOULDER UP!
Arn Anderson: What will it take to put Ospreay away?
With Ospreay face-first on the mat, Omega walks over to him slowly, pulling him to his knees. Omega tells him to stay down as he knees him in the face, not once, but twice! Omega takes a step back and measures him for a final V-Trigger! Ospreay catches his boot!
Ospreay fires up as the crowd rises with him. Omega throws a few rights, but Ospreay fires back with rapid-fire kicks to Omega’s face! He flips through and catches him with the Liger Bomb!
Kevin Kelly: Was that the final burst from Ospreay? How much more can he possibly have left?
Arn Anderson: If Ospreay’s going to go out, he’s going to go out swinging.
Both men stumble to their feet as Ospreay catches him with an elbow to the face. He leaps to the top rope… SUPER OSCUTTER!
1…
2…
2.999!
OMEGA KICKS OUT!
Ospreay lifts him for the Stormbreaker, but Omega flips through. He lifts Ospreay onto his shoulders for the One Winged Angel, but Ospreay rolls through into a pin!
1…
2…
Ospreay lifts him off the mat… STYLES CLASH!!!
From the corner, Ospreay raises his arm and pulls off his elbow pad. Omega gets to his knees and Ospreay charges… HIDDEN BLADE CONNECTS!
Kevin Kelly: We are witnessing survival of the absolute fittest!
Ospreay pulls Omega off the mat and lifts him for the Stormbreaker… Omega lands on his feet and hits the V-Trigger! Both men are down!
They slowly rise, the champ gritting his teeth as the blood pours down his face. Ospreay fires off stiff rights, but Omega counters with the straightjacket suplex into a cover!
1…
2…
Ospreay kicks out with authority! Omega grabs Ospreay by his arms and pulls him to his knees… Ospreay defiantly spits in Omega’s face! Omega drills him with a ruthless V-Trigger, and then immediately follows it up with the One-Winged Angel!!! Ospreay flips through… ANOTHER OSCUTTER!
Arn Anderson: Ospreay smells the blood in the water!
Ospreay lifts Omega up…. he hooks the arms…. TIGER DRIVE 91!!! Omega lands horrendously on his neck!
Ospreay, beaten and battered, collapses onto the challenger!
1…
2…
3!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay
Match Time: 40:00
Arn Anderson: A match for the history books, Kevin!
Kevin Kelly: Will Ospreay’s maybe not the brightest. He’s maybe not the strongest… but I’ll be damned if you can question this kid’s fighting spirit!
Arn Anderson: No doubt, Will Ospreay is as resilient as they come in this industry!
As Ospreay rolls to the outside, Jane Mouse hands him the championship as McMahon immediately calls the ringside doctor over to look at his cut. Ospreay waves him off as his music hits and he defiantly raises the belt high above his head.
Ospreay begins to make his way up the entrance ramp and nearly reaches the top of the stage when his music suddenly cuts!
Ospreay looks around in confusion as the lights dim… the arena tron comes to life. The image shows a sunset over a desert, before a triumphant horse trots into frame.
🎵 GHOST TOWN TRIUMPH HITS! 🎵
The crowd in Toronto is unglued as Hangman Adam Page steps onto the stage! He and Ospreay lock eyes as Ospreay readies himself for a fight. Instead, Hangman nods and then storms the ring! The crowd explodes as he hits the ring just as Omega is getting to his feet…
BUCKSHOT LARIAT TO OMEGA!
Kevin Kelly: Hangman has returned, and he just about took Omega’s head off!
Arn Anderson: The man who accused Hangman of “taking his ball and going home” is back, and he’s apparently found himself at long last!
The scene ends with Hangman absorbing the pop from the crowd as he stares down at Omega’s crumbled body!
SEGMENT TWO
Earlier Tonight:
A service corridor beneath the arena hums with low electricity and fluorescent light. Paul Heyman stands with his back to a concrete wall, phone tucked away, eyes locked on the men in front of him.
Four big security guards. All wearing the same blank expression that comes from being paid well not to ask questions. Heyman adjusts his tie, already irritated.
Paul Heyman: Gentlemen, let me make this very clear… Tonight, there is no access to the rafters. No catwalks. No stairwells, ladders, maintenance routes, fire escapes, or clever little shortcuts that someone who thinks they’re smarter than the system might try to use.
Guard 1: You want a full lockdown?
Paul Heyman: I want a void! Sean Heyman cannot afford any distractions tonight… he won’t be dealing with the lingering presence of a brother who should be gone but never quite is…
Heyman straights, pacing now.
Paul Heyman: And if Brandon Lee is somewhere in this building… and believe me, I’ve learned to never rule out the impossible… then he’s going to have to find a different way to try and get in Olson’s head. If anyone so much as breathes near those catwalks, I want to know about it. Immediately!
The guards nod in unison as they take their positions. Heyman walks off satisfied, muttering to himself about how tonight’s Olson’s night.
Match #2 | AEW World Tag Team Championship
The Young Bucks (C) (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
As the Briscoe Brothers are introduced, Anderson and Kelly discuss their success since bursting onto the World of Wrestling scene this past August.
Arn Anderson: Few teams in the modern era have captivated audiences the way that these two brothers have. They don’t look like the stars we’re used to seeing, but they’ve fought and clawed for their right to work in a WOW-affiliated company, and now that they’re here, management would be fools to let them go into the draft!
The Briscoes bounce impatiently in the ring, awaiting the arrival of the champions. Kelly says that after what we saw with Hangman’s return, the Bucks have to be wondering where they stand with the Cowboy. Now, they’ll undoubtedly be looking over their shoulders as they try to fend off the hottest team in all of professional wrestling.
Kevin Kelly: But Matt and Nick Jackson know how to overcome adversity in the squaredcircle. They’ve held gold in every company they’ve been in, and I’d argue that they’re one of the only teams to match the type of hype we’ve seen with the Briscoes.
Arn Anderson: They were AEW’s second and third picks in last year’s draft. A highly unusual move from BWM Inc., who’d reportedly wanted them back the entire time they worked down south. The Bucks are legends in their own right, but they’re going to have to be flawless tonight if they hope to leave Toronto with the gold!
Mark Briscoe and Matt Jackson start things off as the bell sounds. Mark enters the match with his trademarked monkey-like posture, looking for an opening with Matt’s legs. When he fails to pick the leg, the two lock up, and Mark muscles Matt into an armlock. Matt counters with a snapmare, which explodes into a chain wrestling sequence on the mat.
Arn Anderson: Both teams, known for their high-flying moves, are staying grounded in the early goings!
Kevin Kelly: That’s what you do in a big match, Arn! Nobody wants to be the one to make the first mistake!
Briscoe locks on a side headlock, which Matt Jackson counters into a series of pin attempts. Every time Mark kicks out, he rolls back into the position with the headlock, allowing Matt repeated access to the roll-ups.
Arn Anderson: It’s a little early for these pin attempts.
Kevin Kelly: All it takes on any given night is three seconds, Arn! And yes, it’s taking all my willpower not to turn that into a dirty joke!
Matt tries to wrestle Mark to his feet, but every time he gains his footing, Briscoe pulls him back down to the mat. On the third attempt, Matt pulls him into the ropes with him, breaking the sequence. On the rebound, Mark catches him with the fireman’s carry. He takes him back to his feet, only to pull him to the canvas by his arm and lock on a tighter variation of the headlock.
Arn Anderson: This is a change of pace for Mark Briscoe. Intelligent wrestling.
Jackson finally breaks free and hits the ropes, only for Mark to muscle him down with the shoulder tackle. Briscoe hits the ropes, leaps over Jackson on the mat, but on the rebound, Jackson gets to his feet and hits him with the headscissors takedown. Matt is able to make the tag to Nick as he locks on an armbar. They take turns working on Mark’s arm, making quick tags.
Arn Anderson: Okay, now they’re just showing off!
The sequence ends with Nick as the legal man, and they hurl Briscoe into the ropes and hit a double hip toss. They follow it up with tandem backflips, followed by the double dropkick! Junior Official Lance Storm gets Matt Jackson out of the ring, as Nick goes for cover. Mark kicks out at two.
Kevin Kelly: A very impressive show of athleticism, but did it win them the match?
Nick tosses Mark into the ropes as Jay Briscoe makes the blind tag. On the rebound, Mark ties Jackson up, holding him as his brother enters the ring. Jay hits a boot to Nick’s face as Mark exits the ring, and Jay works on Nick’s arm. They have their own chain wrestling sequence, which ends with Jay catching Jackson with an elbow, followed by a cover.
1…
2…
Nick kicks out!
Arn Anderson: Without a doubt, the best tag team wrestling in the industry is in All Elite Wrestling!
Jay pulls Nick up by the hair and drags him to the Briscoes’ corner. Mark tags back in, and the two isolate the champion. Nick’s able to muscle out of the corner and make the diving tag to Matt. Nick hits Jay with the gutbuster, as Matt comes in with the flipping neckbreaker. He goes for a cover, but Mark kicks out at two.
The Young Bucks work aggressively to keep Mark isolated, and Matt Jackson tries to take his headoff with a superkick. Mark rolls through and counters with a leaping enziguiri, as the crowd wills him to make the tag.
Kevin Kelly: The champions are keeping Mark Briscoe isolated. Now would be a good time to tag out, but he just can’t reach his corner!
Mark finally connects with a big suplex and makes the hot tag to Jay! They hit a double flapjack, as Jay follows it up with a big body slam and a series of quick elbows.
Arn Anderson: The Bucks know how tough the Briscoes are. They’ve seen just what they can do in a fight. The Bucks may have that pretty aerial arsenal, but that’s not doing them many favors thus far in this championship match.
Jay delivers a big Irish whip to Matt Jackson, sending him into the corner. He charges for a corner splash, but Matt sidesteps it, and Jay’s face connects with the top turnbuckle. Matt follows it up with a German into the bridge, but Jay breaks free quickly, before Storm can count the two.
Matt goes for a whip of his own, but Jay overpowers him and sends him flipping into the corner, the impact of which sends him toppling to the outside. Nick Jackson immediately rushes over to help his brother, but Mark Briscoe is quick to meet them on the floor.
A brawl breaks out between the three on the floor, until Jay comes through the second ropes with a suicide dive, taking out everyone!
Kevin Kelly: The Briscoes are so tenacious, Arn! We’ve talked about the offensive stylings of the Bucks, but what about the Briscoes? These guys will use their bodies as battering rams if they have to!
Jay and Matt return to the ring, and Jay makes the tag to Mark. Mark comes in with another gutwrench, followed by a senton splash. He goes for another throw, but Matt fires off some quick elbows and flips to his corner, tagging in Nick Jackson. Nick comes in with a missile dropkick from the top! Mark gets back to his feet quickly, but Nick takes him down again with a powerslam.
The pace begins to quicken as Nick tosses Mark over the top, causing him to collide with Jay on the apron. Nick hits the ropes and leaps through the middle and the top, catching them both with his boots to their faces. He skins the cat as Matt Jackson comes into the ring. Matt dives over his brother, and the tope con hilio connects!
Nick looks for a dive of his own, but with lightning speed and intensity, Jay Briscoe dives inside and catches him with a spinebuster that rattles the ring! As Mark gets back to the apron, Jay makes the tag official as he’s now legal with Nick Jackson. They double-team Nick with the big toss from the corner, as Nick gets incredible hangtime, and is flipped to the other corner. Jay goes for the cover, but Matt Jackson dives in at two to break up the count.
The distraction allows Nick the chance to reset, and he catches Jay with the sliced bread. He reaches desperately for the tag, but Mark comes in with a stomp, cutting him off.
Arn Anderson: The Briscoes have been so effective tonight in isolating the Young Bucks.
Jay lifts him for the Jay Driver as Storm tries to clear Mark from the ring. As Nick is in position, he flings his head up violently, catching Jay with the lowblow!
Kevin Kelly: Referee Lance Storm didn’t see it!
Jay doubles over in pain just as Storm turns. Nick makes the tag to Matt, who comes in hot. He scoops Jay up for a piledriver, and then follows it up with quick dropkicks, keeping the bigger man grounded.
Jay finally starts to recover, throwing some wild elbows. He charges Matt, who tosses him to the outside. Matt steps to the apron and connects with an asai moonsault, followed by a face crusher to the floor! He tosses him back inside and covers!
1…
2…
Jay kicks out!
Matt drags Jay back to his feet, but Jay counters with a Death Valley Driver! Jay finally makes the tag to Mark Briscoe, who takes Matt Jackson down with a big boot. Mark begins to unload with a series of martial arts strikes, which Kevin Kelly refers to as “White Trash Kung-fu.”
Mark’s momentum is short-lived, as Nick Jackson illegally enters the ring. Jay’s back in as well, and Storm’s completely lost control of this thing as all four men brawl around the ring! The Bucks hit a double superkick to Jay, sending him toppling to the outside. They send Mark into the corner, and Nick charges. Mark catches him with a back body, but Nick lands on the apron! Superkick from Matt Jackson!
Nick climbs the ropes and hits a moonsault, as Matt covers!
1…
2…
2.999!
Mark kicks out!
Storm sends Nick to the outside, and Matt and Mark are the legal men. Matt plans Mark with the Finley roll, as Nick again enters, this time with a hellacious 450! Matt goes to the top as well for a moonsault, but Mark gets his knees up on the landing!
Jay comes in and tosses Nick back to the outside as he lifts Matt Jackson onto his shoulders. Mark climbs the top rope… DOOMSDAY DEVICE!
1…
2…
Nick tries to break it up, but Jay telegraphs him…
3!!!
Winners and NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Briscoes
Match Time: 19:03
Arn Anderson: The Briscoes have done it!
Kevin Kelly: A rough night all around for the so-called “True Elite” of professional wrestling, as the Young Bucks’ championship reign has come to an end!
The Briscoes celebrate with the championship as confetti rains, and the Bucks exit the ring, furious. The scene concludes with Matt and Nick Jackson shouting that this isn’t over as the Briscoes soak up the adulation of the crowd.
SEGMENT THREE
Match #3 | AEW Knockouts Championship
“Timeless” Toni Storm (C) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Jade Cargill
Becky Lynch is out first, dressed in an elaborate robe, a clear homage to her husband, the Undisputed/WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins. The fans shower her in boos, but Lynch looks focused on her march to the ring.
Kevin Kelly: Becky Lynch has the opportunity to knock off two of the biggest names in professional wrestling tonight. Take a look at how The Man is dressed, Arn. You can tell that Becky wants nothing more than to take the Knockouts Championship home to her husband!
Arn Anderson: The rivalry between all three of these women has been so fierce, so personal, especially between Becky and the Knockouts Champion, Timeless Toni Storm. The wildcard tonight is Jade Cargill, who has refused to let the mindgames distract her.
Kevin Kelly: Under triple threat rules, Toni Storm can lose the championship without being pinned. It’s a nightmare scenario for a champion, especially when the challengers are on the level of Lynch and Cargill.
Jade is introduced next, and she’s met with a thunderous ovation as she comes to the ring, all business as usual. Commentary discusses how Jade has never been pinned since arriving in AEW, and how her overall win/loss record since joining the World of Wrestling is perhaps unrivaled. They hype up the fact that she remains the ULW’s longest reigning women’s champion.
Kevin Kelly: Jade Cargill always shines on the big stage.
The crowd comes unglued as Toni Storm’s music hits, and the champion takes the stage to a hero’s ovation.
Arn Anderson: Listen to this ovation! She is the most talked-about woman in the industry. The reigning, defending Knockouts Champion!
Kevin Kelly: It’s been one incredible moment after the next for Timeless Toni Storm. She has dominated the division as champion for nearly seven months.
Arn Anderson: And let’s not forget, she’s the woman who ended the illustrious career of the G.O.A.T., Miss Athena Star!
Storm’s face is intense as she makes the trek down the long aisle, her eyes locked on Becky Lynch. Anderson recounts how Lynch recently destroyed that vintage Hollywood soundstage we’ve seen Storm use so often. As she reaches the ring, Jane Mouse delivers the championship introductions as Knockouts Official Kenzie calls for the bell!
Kevin Kelly: Here we go! The first woman to score a pinfall or submission will leave as the Knockouts Champion! There are no countouts, no disqualifications.
All three women come face-to-face, with Toni on the left, Becky on the right, and Jade in the middle. Becky and Toni taunt one another, as Jade steps in and delivers a big open-handed strike to Becky, and then to Toni!
Kevin Kelly: That’s what I’ve been sayin’ about Jade Cargill. She’s by far the strongest woman in this match, and when you factor in how much Toni and Becky seem to despise one another, Jade’s become something of an afterthought. She’s not going to let that be the narrative of this match, Arn!
Jade takes Toni down with a big clothesline, followed by one to Becky. She lifts Becky in a powerbomb position and sends her flying into Storm! Becky and Toni are back up, and Jade again charges with the clothesline. They duck under it, and there’s a moment of teamwork as they connect with a big double dropkick, sending Jade crashing to the mat!
Arn Anderson: Now, I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting this! Timeless Toni Storm and Becky Lynch, perhaps out of necessity, are working together!
The alliance doesn’t last long, however, as Storm wrestles Lynch to the mat with a back suplex takedown. She refuses to let go as Becky gets to her feet. Becky wrestles out of it and takes Storm down with a slam of her own. Becky stands up to celebrate, taunting the crowd that she’s the best wrestler in the world. Before she can finish her catchphrase, Jade connects with a thunderous big boot!
Toni immediately charges Jade, who catches her with the Eye of the Storm! The crowd gasps as she slams the champ to the mat with authority, immediately transitioning into the cover!
1…
Becky breaks it up!
Jade returns to her feet, her focus on Lynch. Becky’s face washes with regret as Jade stalks her into the corner. But it’s Toni Storm who puts an end to it as she strikes Jade from behind with a clubbing blow.
Becky uses the opportunity to roll to the outside, leaving Cargill and Storm to pick one another apart. Jade turns to Toni and catches her with a dropkick, followed quickly by a kip-up. Jade brushes off her shoulder, as if Toni’s nothing to her. Toni is quick to her feet and again charges, but Jade catches her with a backbreaker!
Arn Anderson: A smart move from The Man in letting these two rip each other apart!
Jade pulls Toni up by the hair and goes for a suplex, but Toni hooks her leg to block it and counters into the Fisherman’s Suplex!
1…
2…
Lynch returns to the ring to break it up!
Becky aggressively stomps away on both women before connecting with a jumping dropkick. She tries to toss Jade to the outside, but she lands on the apron. Becky follows her out, but Toni Storm charges them both, sending them flying into the announce table! Their heads ricochet off the table as Anderson and Kelly hop to their feet, taking a few steps back.
Arn Anderson: A rough landing for the challengers!
Toni steps to the apron, and just as Becky and Jade get to their feet, she launches at them with a cannonball splash!
Toni aggressively turns her attention to Becky as Jade is still laid out. She slams Becky’s face off the announce table, before whipping her into the steel steps! Becky’s back takes the full brunt of the impact, as the sickening rattle echoes throughout the arena.
Jade rejoins the fray, striking Storm in the head with a double axehandle. She lifts her for the delayed vertical suplex, as the crowd roars the longer she holds the champion in this precarious position. Before she drops her, however, Becky’s back up, connecting with a spear! Jade and Storm crash violently into the barricade, as The Man smirks!
She grabs a fistful of Jade’s hair and rolls her back inside. She connects with the running bulldog, followed by a big legdrop into a cover!
1…
2…
Storm’s back in to break up the count!
Arn Anderson: That’s what makes these triple-threat matches so difficult. You have to know where both of your opponents are at all times, and that’s nearly impossible when there are no countouts and no disqualifications!
Storm whips Becky into the corner and connects with the hip attack. She goes for another one, but Jade cuts her off with a big one-armed spinebuster! She picks Storm up and sends her flying across the ring with a big fallaway slam, followed by a kip-up! The crowd begins to favor Jade as she shows off her impressive strength.
Jade returns her focus to Becky as she lifts her for the big military press slam. Becky slides out of it and hits a spinning neckbreaker. Becky’s momentum doesn’t last long, however, as Storm connects with a boot to the face! She lifts Becky for Storm Zero, but Jade’s up from behind and locks on a variation of the masterlock!
The champ writhes in pain with nowhere to go, as Anderson says Storm can’t tap even if she wanted to, as her arms are tied up! Jade plants her with a face-first slam! Storm lands awkwardly on Becky’s boot, causing her lip to split open!
Arn Anderson: And for the second time tonight, we’re witnessing a defending champion split wide open!
Jade stays on the offensive, scooping Becky back to her feet. She goes for Jaded, but Becky rolls through into a schoolboy!
1…
2…
Jade kicks out with authority!
Jade rolls to her feet and screams, before charging Becky with a big boot. Becky ducks underneath, and as Jade turns back, Becky catches her with a DDT!
Becky climbs to the top rope, perhaps looking for a moonsault. But Jade’s back up, and she joins Becky up top, looking for a back suplerplex! But Storm’s up, as well, and she approaches both women in the corner.
Kevin Kelly: This is a dangerous situation for all three women!
Storm wraps her arms around Jade’s waist, and all three come crashing down as Storm slams Jade with the German, and Jade slams Becky with the back suplex! The crowd is raucous as they break out into the “This is awesome!” chant!
Arn Anderson: All three women are down, in what could be a critical moment in this match!
Storm is first to her feet, and she drags Jade up. They trade forearms before Storm sends Jade into the ropes. She tackles her with the Lou Thesz Press, unloading rights and lefts as the crowd is in a frenzy!
But Becky’s back up from behind, and she grabs ahold of Storm… MAN HANDLE SLAM!
1…
2…
2.999!
Jade breaks it up!
Jade picks Becky up off the mat, dropping her on her head with the deadlift powerbomb!
Storm’s back to her feet as well, as she charges Jade. Jade leapfrogs, and Storm crashes into the buckles. Sensing Jade on her tail, Storm, with nowhere else to go, climbs the ropes. Jade follows behind, and the two are again in a precarious position! Jade latches it on… JADED FROM THE TOP ROPE TO THE CHAMPION!
“Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!”
Kevin Kelly: But how much did that take out of Jade Cargill? All three women are down!!!
Jade slowly crawls towards Storm, draping her arm over her for a cover!
1…
2…
Becky breaks it up!
Arn Anderson: I think Toni Storm’s out of it, Kevin! This could be Becky’s moment!
Becky slams Jade with the Manhandle Slam! She covers!
1…
2…
Thre—
JADE KICKS OUT!
Becky’s distraught, pounding the mat in frustration. She goes for another Manhandle Slam, but Jade counters it into the DDT!
Jade charges Becky, but Becky hits her with a stiff boot to the face! She pulls Jade to the second rope… MANHANDLE SLAM FROM THE TOP! BUT JADE COUNTERS IT INTO A HIP TOSS!
JADE FLIES WITH THE FROGSPLASH!
Becky gets her knees up!
Storm is on her feet, and she pulls Jade into the STORM ZERO! IT CONNECTS!
1…
2…
2.999!
Becky breaks the count with a diving shoulder!
Becky sends Storm flying into the turnbuckles with the Becksploder! She lifts Jade and sends her into the opposite corner with the buckle bomb!
Arn Anderson: Shades of her husband, Seth Rollins!
Kevin Kelly: What action! That’s how bad all three of these women want to leave Toronto with the most coveted prize in the business!
Becky stays on Jade, latching on the DisArmHer! Jade writhes in pain, with nowhere to go. Becky wrenches it in tighter, but Jade uses the ropes to pull herself to a vertical base. She reverses it into a one-armed powerbomb!
Jade’s fired up, as she refuses to let go. She lifts Becky into another powerbomb, and then another!
Suddenly, the lights go out, and the arena is enveloped in darkness!
Arn Anderson: What the hell’s going on here, Kevin?
Kevin Kelly: I don’t know, maybe some sort of power outage?
The tron suddenly lights up, a mirror in focus….
“G. L. A. M. O. U. R.”
As the lights come back on, a blonde-haired woman is standing behind Jade Cargill… she lifts her, drilling her into the mat with a sitout Death Valley Driver!!!
Arn Anderson: Wait a minute, is that who I think it is?
Kevin Kelly: My God, Arn, that’s The Glamour, Blake Monroe! What the hell is she doing here?!
Monroe picks Lynch off the mat, as the camera reveals Toni Storm seated in the corner, with a massive smile plastered across her face. Monroe positions Becky… STORM ZERO!
Storm calmly makes her way over to Lynch, as Monroe keeps an eye on Jade’s motionless body. Storm places a single boot atop Becky…
1…
2…
3!!!
Winner: Timeless Toni Storm
Match Time: 22:49
Arn Anderson: I think one thing is clear, Kevin! Timeless Toni Storm has finally found her understudy after more than a year of looking!
Kevin Kelly: And she’s found it in the form of a dangerous, yet glamorous, Blake Monroe!!!
Arn Anderson: What a night it’s been here at Elite Warfare… and we’re not done yet, Kevin! Up next, it’s the 60-man, three-ring battle royal we’ve all been waiting for!
SEGMENT FOUR
Match #4 |Elite Warfare | 60-Men | 3-Rings | Over The Top Rope Elimination
Winner earns the right to challenge for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship before the season finale
Arn Anderson: As we await the arrival of the first two participants, the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes and the Megastar LA Knight, let’s take a moment to go over the rules.
Kevin Kelly: A new superstar will enter the match every 30 seconds. When ring one reaches 20 men, we’ll begin filling ring two, and then the third. As we saw in the inaugural Elite Warfare match last year, competitors can travel between the rings after entering, but cannot enter the wrong ring at their start in the match.
Rhodes’ music hits as he makes his way down the aisle to a mostly positive reception. Anderson says the pundits have been brutal when it comes to Cody as of late, as they’ve declared it’s officially now or never for the American Nightmare if he hopes to finally win a world championship.
LA Knight is out next, as Kelly notes that the Megastar was AEW’s first round draft pick in the 2025 World of Wrestling Draft. Anderson says LA Knight had a successful run as TV Champion, but the world championship has also evaded him throughout his career, despite the fact that he’s been close several times.
As the bell sounds and the match is underway, Anderson says that we already know who number three is, after MJF defeated Switchblade Jay White to earn the right to start from the midway point, forcing White to enter at number three. Kelly says it’s disadvantageous to enter this match earlier, as last year’s battle went for nearly an hour.
Kevin Kelly: It stands to reason that the less time a competitor has to fight off the other men, the better their chances are of surviving this match.
Knight and Rhodes waste no time, exchanging rights and lefts as the crowd is on their feet. Knight wrestles Cody into the corner and unloads with a series of shoulder thrusts, before connecting with a big right that nearly sends Cody over the top rope!
Arn Anderson: How embarrassing would it be for Rhodes to get eliminated so early?
Kevin Kelly: I think Rhodes is going to be embarrassed if he gets eliminated at any point in this match, but you’re right, Arn. Nobody wants to be the first out of this thing!
As the clock ticks to zero, Switchblade Jay White rushes down the entrance ramp and slides into the ring. He immediately goes to work on LA Knight, catching him with a hook kick. White turns his attention to Rhodes, who catches him with an Orton-esque powerslam! Rhodes sends White reeling with an atomic drop, only to turn around and eat a big clothesline from Knight!
As the countdown clock resets and reaches zero, #4 is the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry! Henry takes his time getting to the ring, as the three men inside continue to trade strikes.
Arn Anderson: Now, here’s a potential wildcard! The World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry!
Kevin Kelly: Henry’s an industry veteran who’s seen plenty of false starts and stops throughout his career. However, that’s the beauty of this match. Anyone can win it, and in doing so, they’re instantly credible as the top challenger!
Henry slides under the bottom ropes, and Knight, Rhodes, and White stop attacking one another and triple-team the much larger Henry. They work together, trying to make short work of Henry. But he’s too strong, and he tosses them off him with authority!
Knight tries to charge Henry, but he catches him with a spinning spinebuster, planting the Megastar! The countdown clock hits again…
🎵 IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES, YOUR LIFE, A NAKED TRUTH’S REVEALED… 🎵
The crowd pops as Christian steps through the tunnel, Captain Charisma looking to be in better shape than ever before!
Kevin Kelly: It’s Christian! AEW’s final selection in the 2025 Draft!
Arn Anderson: Christian, a legend in his own right, is a former World of Wrestling Undisputed Champion!
Christian rushes down the aisle and slides into the ring, immediately focusing on Switchblade Jay White. He plants him with a DDT, before turning his attention to Mark Henry.
Kevin Kelly: Take a look at this, Captain Charisma’s going for the biggest man in the match!
This proves not to be the best idea, however, as Henry plants Christian with the World’s Strongest Slam in the center of the ring! Henry celebrates, but it doesn’t last long as LA Knight hits a spinning neckbreaker to the 450+ pounder!
The countdown clock hits 0 once more, and out at #6 is Ricochet. Ricochet shakes off the boos as Anderson and Kelly discuss what a difficult time Ricochet’s had connecting with audiences, regardless of where he works.
Arn Anderson: Ricochet’s an incredible athlete, but nowadays, that’s a trait that’s a dime a dozen. He’s going to have to find what makes him special if he wants to elevate his career.
Kevin Kelly: All it’d take is a big upset win tonight, and we’d all be putting a lot more respect on this man’s name!
Ricochet lives up to the name, launching with a series of spinning wheel kicks that take down Cody Rhodes and then Christian. He catches LA Knight with a big dropkick, but the momentum he was building is cut short as Henry levels him with a clothesline.
As the clock hits zero, Bam Bam Bigelow is out at #7. Anderson says Bigelow’s had a pretty respectful career, the height of which came perhaps during his time with the Million Dollar Corporation in the PWI. Kelly notes that Bigelow is as big, if not bigger than Henry, as the ring is quickly filling up.
Bigelow targets Christian in the corner, as LA Knight and Cody Rhodes team up again to try to eliminate Mark Henry. Henry’s able to shove them off, but he immediately eats a superkick from Jay White!
Arn Anderson: We’ve heard from all the pundits, and they’re proclaiming loudly that Jay White could very well win this thing!
Kevin Kelly: It’s been an incredible few weeks for Switchblade, as he’s had undeniable classics with Will Ospreay and MJF.
The buzzer sounds, and #8 is Alistair Black. Black takes his time coming down the aisle, as Anderson and Kelly discuss his position within the Guilty Remnant.
Kevin Kelly: Alistair Black, decrying the name Malaki as a name handed to him by his oppressors, allowed the House of Black to be absorbed by Mr. Brodie Lee’s Guilty Remnant.
Arn Anderson: Black’s mission remains the same, however. He’s had it out for the Mouse family for some time now. What started as bitterness over how he’s been showcased has evolved into something scarier, an obsession with righting the “wrongs” of the family that’s presided over this industry for 30 years.
Black enters the ring with his sights set on Ricochet. He hits a spinning wheel kick, before catching Christian offguard with the Black Mass! Before he can eliminate him, however, Bam Bam drops him from behind with a clubbing blow.
Otis is out at #9, and he immediately sets his sights on the other mastodons in the match, Bigelow and Henry! Everyone else wisely clears the way, as Kelly loudly proclaims that we’ve got three big men slapping man meat in the center of the ring!
Matt Hardy is out next, as Anderson says ring one’s halfway full. Macho Man is in at #11, followed by Lex Luger of the FLEX Squad. Savage and Luger target one another, reigniting the longstanding rivalry between the Squad and High Minded.
Austin Gunn is in at #13, as Anderson reminds us that he’s a former tag champ and a member of the Bullet Club. He quickly finds Jay White, and the two begin to double-team anyone in their path, connecting with big moves to Bigelow, Otis, and Christian. Rezar is in at #14, and he wastes no time joining the fray.
🎵 ALWAYS READY! 🎵
When The Lights Go Down hits, and the crowd erupts as Matt Cardona makes his shocking AEW return!
Arn Anderson: It’s the former ULW and AEW/WWE Dual Dominion Champion! Matt Cardona, BWM Inc’s fourth overall draft pick, is back!
Kevin Kelly: And he’s got a lot of history in that ring with the likes of Cody Rhodes and LA Knight! We’ve got to remember, it was Cardona who defeated Rhodes for the Dual Dominion Championship, only to take it to WWE, where he essentially tossed it in the trash!
Cardona hits the ring, and he goes to work on Ricochet. He tosses him to the outside, as Ricochet becomes the first casualty of Elite Warfare!
Powerhouse Hobbs is in at #16, followed by Colten Gunn at #17. Anderson says ring one is filling up with alliances, as Switchblade now has the entirety of the Bullet Club to help watch his back, and Lugar’s got a friend in fellow FLEX Squad member Will Hobbs.
Kevin Kelly: I thought it was every man for himself in there!
Arn Anderson: It undoubtedly will be, but you’d be a fool not to take advantage of any partnerships you can form, especially at this point in the match!
Stevie R. of the Harlem Turtles is out at #18, followed by Abyss at #19. Abyss immediately targets Aleistar Black, whom he had previously served under in a forgotten variation of the House of Black. The final spot in the first ring belongs to Scott Hall, who goes to work assisting Macho Man against Lugar and Hobbs.
Arn Anderson: It’s official, Kevin! We’re a third of the way through!
Kevin Kelly: And let’s not forget the slight advantage that goes to #21… that man will be the first to enter Ring 2, and will essentially have a thirty-second rest before the action gets underway!
As the buzzer goes off, MVP enters the fold at #21. The brains of the Hurt Syndicate walks down the ramp all smiles, as Anderson reminds us that MJF will inevitably be in the same ring just nine entrants from now. Meanwhile, back in ring one, Cardona picks up a second elimination as he tosses Rezar out!
MVP’s period of rest comes to an end as the charismatic enigma, Jeff Hardy, is in at #22. When Anderson refers to Hardy by the aforementioned nickname, Kelly gasps as if he’s said a slur.
Kevin Kelly: I don’t think we’re supposed to say that word anymore!
Nash enters next at #23, as he drops Jeff Hardy with a big boot, and begins hammering away on MVP. Back in ring one, Switchblade Jay White, with the help of the Gunns, earns his first elimination of the match as they dump Otis to the floor.
As the buzzer hits for #24, Amish Paradise hits! Before Midget Hogan, the self-proclaimed king of the battle royal, can make his way to the ring, Anderson recalls that the former mouthpiece of High Minded entered last year’s match, where he successfully hid under the ring for longer than anyone would have expected.
However, as the music keeps playing, Midget Hogan is nowhere to be found. We cut to the backstage area, where Hogan’s voice can be heard shouting, “Let me go! Let me go!”
As the camera widens, we see that Young Crock has his stepfather held in place. The camera slowly pans upwards… and it’s LADY LOVE!
Kevin Kelly: Oh no, she’s back!!!
Arn Anderson: We’ve not seen Lady Love since Jesse Hash injured her last fall!
In her signature booming man-voice, Lady Love tells Midget Hogan that she wants a divorce, before powerbombing the much smaller Midget Hogan through a catering table!!!
The camera cuts to a confused producer, who doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do to keep the match going. He turns to someone just off-screen and says, “Well, go on, go ahead and get out there!”
The camera pans, and Midget Hogan’s replacement as the 24th entrant is none other than…
COOL QUEST!
The crowd erupts as the legendary light heavyweight makes his way down the aisle to a massive pop!
Kevin Kelly: Well, this is most certainly unexpected! Anyone can turn up in the Elite Warfare match, as we’re seeing tonight!
Arn Anderson: Finally, a cool version of that moron Johnny Quest!
Quest soars into the ring, taking MVP down with a missile dropkick from the top rope! Nash has his back as he hits Jeff Hardy with a whisper in the wind. The place is raucous for the surprise entry of Cool Quest, but those cheers turn to boos as Max Caster is in at 25.
Caster draws the ire of the fans, as he immediately targets the much smaller Cool Quest. He slams Quest to the mat with a powerslam before joining MVP and turning his attention to Kevin Nash. Anderson notes that Caster, a former tag champ, is a member of the Hurt Syndicate.
Arn Anderson: We’re also only five entries away from MJF’s arrival to this match, and how fortuitous for MJF that there are two members of the Syndicate in ring two?
Brody King enters at #26, as the biggest man in the Guilty Remnant begins leveling anyone who steps in his way. Anderson says that King’s size is deceptive, because he’s shockingly agile and his offense includes high-risk moves we typically don’t see from monsters his size. Back in ring one, Christian picks up an elimination as he dumps Bigelow to the outside!
Kevin Kelly: Can you believe that was only the fourth elimination of this match?
Swerve Strickland enters at #27, much to the approval of the crowd in Toronto. Strickland targets MVP, as Kelly notes his history with the Hurt Syndicate. Back in ring one, Jay White continues his impressive display, earning his second elimination after he superkicks Matt Hardy to the outside!
Shelton Benjamin enters at #28, as the Hurt Syndicate now has three members inside the same ring! The former TV Champion targets Swerve Strickland, as Brody King targets Jeff Hardy. Cool Quest lies low, trying to hang in the match for as long as humanly possible.
Back in ring one, the crowd pops big as Christian dumps Mark Henry to the outside, earning his second elimination!
Arn Anderson: Matt Cardona, Jay White, and Christian are all tied with two eliminations a piece!
Brian Cage joins the filling ring two at the 29th spot, as Anderson notes that we all know who is coming out next. Kelly says if the alliance with the Syndicate holds strong, MJF could very well win this thing! In ring one, Savage and Hall try to eliminate Lex Luger, but he lands on the apron and hops to ring two!
Arn Anderson: Remember, it’s legal to travel between the rings so long as you enter the ring you’re supposed to when you start the match!
Kevin Kelly: A smart move from Lex, but he left Powerhouse Hobbs alone in the ring one with Scott Hall and Randy Savage.
As the clock hits zero, MJF is out at #30, arrogantly smirking as he makes his way down the aisle. Anderson says MJF has to be feeling pretty good about how things are playing out, as we’ve officially hit the halfway point! Back in ring one, we see a double elimination as Mark Henry and Abyss topple one another to the floor!
At #31 is Sting, followed by Young Crock at #32. Anderson notes that the Elite Warfare match marks Young Crock’s first-ever match in AEW. Kelly says the wannabe influencer comes from a long line of resilient wrestlers, as his (likely) father, The Crock, and grandfather, Woody II, are both icons in the industry.
In ring number one, White continues to rely on the help of the Gunns, as they target LA Knight in a three-on-one attack. Meanwhile, Matt Cardona and Cody Rhodes are relentless with one another — every time someone tries to divert their attention, they shake them off and return to battling one another!
Matt Riddle joins ring two as entry #33, joining Young Crock and Kevin Nash in targeting Brian Cage and Lex Luger. Meanwhile, MJF has essentially formed a human shield with MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Max Caster, who fend off attacks from Swerve Strickland and Brody King. Anderson reminds us that Riddle had an impressive showing in the 2025 Elite Warfare match, where he entered at #5 and made it to the final 20 before he was eliminated by Omos.
🎵 HOW YOU TURN MY WORLD YOU PRESCIOUS THING… 🎵
The capacity crowd explodes as the Terminator enters at #34. Anderson says the legend entered last year’s match as well, and this marks the first time we’ve seen him in over a year. Terminator goes to work on Sting, as the camera cuts back to ring one, where Cardona drills Stevie R. with the Radio Silence before tossing him out!
Arn Anderson: A third elimination for Matt Cardona! He just may be my pick to win this thing, Kevin!
As Stevie R. retreats up the ramp, he passes Booker D., who is out at #35. Stevie tells Booker to go win this thing, as one half of the former AEW tag champs bolts to the ring. He slides in and immediately goes to work on Jeff Hardy.
Akam of the Authors of Pain is #36, as Kelly notes that he’s hoping to fare better than his tag partner, Rezar, who was eliminated some time ago. The crowd counts down as the clock ticks down from 5, to 4, to 3, to 2, and finally to 1…
At #37, it’s the shocking entrant of AEW’s newest signing… the World’s Most Dangerous Man, Ken Shamrock!
Arn Anderson: What the hell is he doing here?
Shamrock storms the ring like a house on fire, eliminating Akam with a huge overhead belly to belly! He gives one to Sting as well, and then dumps Jeff Hardy to the outside!
Kevin Kelly: Two big eliminations from Ken Shamrock! He’s on fire, Arn!
Arn Anderson: How great of shape is Shamrock in? How great is it to see the World’s Most Dangerous Man in AEW for the first time ever?
Anthony Bowens is out at #38, and he joins MVP, Benjamin, and Caster in forming a human shield around MJF. This doesn’t deter Shamrock, however, who explodes with suplexes on The Acclaimed, zeroing in on MJF! MJF manages to avoid him, however, as Matt Riddle steps up, and the two men with mixed martial arts backgrounds collide in ring two!
Arn Andreson: That’s what I love about this match! So many opportunities to see pairings we’ve never seen before, as Ken Shamrock and Matt Riddle collide for the first time ever!
In ring one, Aliestar Black sends Jaw White flying over the top rope, but he skins the cat and pulls himself back inside, narrowly avoiding elimination! Flex Fuller is out at #39, as the ring is filled to the brim, as we await the final entry before moving on to the third ring.
Kevin Kelly: There are 18 men inside ring two, and we’ve got 11 more in ring one! This is still anyone’s match as we’re about to hit the final entry of ring two!
The lights lower, and Hysteria hits, as Paul Heyman gives his introduction for the man he calls “the winner of Elite Warfare and the uncrowned two-time AEW World Heavyweight Champion, the Kinslayer Sean Olson!”
Kevin Kelly: We saw Paul Heyman earlier tonight, ordering armed security to block the entry to the rafters. Though Olson’s half-brother, The Forgotten Brandon Lee, is still on the injured list, he’s been front and center in Olson’s mind since costing him the world title. Heyman’s doing everything he can to eliminate any and all distractions for his client!
Olson enters the final spot in ring two with incredible momentum, superkicking Booker D. to the outside, and then sending Terminator out as well! Meanwhile, Fuller directs Cage and Luger to attack Kevin Nash and Young Crock, before Riddle breaks free from Shamrock and evens the odds.
MJF uses the opportunity to target Sting, sending him to the outside for his first elimination of the match.
Arn Anderson: And as quickly as ring two filled up, it’s beginning to empty out!
The buzzer sounds, and the American Dragon Bryan Danielson is the first man in ring three at number 41.
Kevin Kelly: Bryan Danielson, the former world champion, is positioned stronger in this year’s match than he was last. In 2025, he was the third entrant before he was inevitably eliminated by the eventual winner, Logan Paul.
Arn Anderson: Take a look at the star power in these three rings, Kevin! Have you ever seen a battle royal this stacked full of potential winners?
At #42, Jesse Hash, the leader of the FLEX Squad, joins Danielson in ring three. As soon as he does, however, Macho Man exits ring one and attacks Hash in the third ring! From the second ring, Brian Cage takes note, and he, too, enters the third ring, as he hammers away on Savage. Golddust is next at #43, followed by Teo. The Almighty Bobby Lashley is in at #45, which immediately draws the attention of MJF in ring two. Lashley pays him no mind as he slides in, going to work on Danielson.
Back in ring two, Lugar goes for a powerbomb on Cool Quest, who commentary is astounded to see him still in this thing. In a shocking twist, Quest reverses the powerbomb into a headscissors, sending Lugar to the outside!
Arn Anderson: Cool Quest has just eliminated Lex Luger in 2026! What a wild night this has turned out to be!
In ring one, LA Knight ends the night for Austin Gunn with the Blunt Force Trauma, followed by a toss to the outside!
Arn Anderson: Switchblade’s just lost half of his protection in ring one!
Hulk Hogan is in at #46, with Executioner entering at #47. Back in ring two, it’s a collision of the powerhouses as Flex Fuller and Ken Shamrock come blow to blow, only for Riddle to come from behind and eliminate Fuller!
Teo gets some relief as his partner, Attitude, enters the match at #48. They join forces to attack Bobby Lashley, as Danielson and Jesse Hash explode all over the ring with an incredible chain wrestling sequence.
At #49, to everyone’s surprise, is BWM Inc.’s Head of Security, the Big Bossman! He immediately targets Goldust, but Goldust bails from ring three and enters ring one, where his brother Cody helps him as they double-team Jay White.
As the clock hits zero again for the 50th entry, an unfamiliar theme song hits… the tron lights up with barbed wire, as it sprawls to spell the word: “MOXLEY.”
The crowd erupts as Jon Moxley comes to the ring!
Arn Anderson: Ken Shamrock… Christian… Cool Quest… the return of Lady Love… and now Jon Moxley?! It’s been one shocking moment after the next this entire match… hell, it’s been one shocking moment after the next ALL NIGHT LONG!
Kevin Kelly: It’s a night that also saw the return of Hangman Adam Page, as well as the debut of The Glamour, Blake Monroe! I’m not sure there’s ever been a night full of more surprises than what we’ve seen at the second installment of Elite Warfare!
Mox goes to work, attacking anyone in sight, including Hulk Hogan, Brian Cage, and Bryan Danielson. Meanwhile, back in ring one, Christian earns his third elimination of the night, sending Colten Gunn to the outside with a clothesline!
In ring two, Olson continues to impress, superkicking anyone in his way, including Kevin Nash, Max Caster, and Ken Shamrock.
When the buzzer sounds for entry #51, no one comes to the ring. Anderson and Kelly are confused, until the buzzer sounds for #52 and Proud & Powerful, Santana and Ortiz make their way to the ring in tandem!
Kevin Kelly: I’m not sure if this is entirely legal, but it’s a smart strategy from the first team to ever hold the AEW tag belts!
Arn Anderson: They’re also the longest reigning champs we’ve ever seen in the tag division!
They immediately target the Attraction, laying into Teo and Attitude. Entering at #53 is Rick Rude, who gets virtually no reaction as he swaggers to the ring. All the while, Danielson hits the Busaiku Knee, sending the Head of Security, the Big Bossman, to the outside!
Arn Anderson: This is why you should stick to being the plus-sized version of Rob Amick, sir!
At #54, the crowd pops for the underdog entrance of Miguel Diaz! Anderson jokes that he isn’t sure if Diaz is a surprise entrance or if he’s worked here the whole time. Kelly confirms that we offered to send him to the WWE with Johnny Lawrence, but they weren’t interested. Nevertheless, the former tag champ explodes into ring three with martial arts offense, sending Rude to the outside!
At #55, the crowd gasps as Nia Jax enters the match! Anderson says there’s no rules preventing this from happening, noting that Chyna became the first woman to enter the Elite Warfare match last year. Nia immediately stuns everyone — most of all Brian Cage — who she sends over the ropes with a hellacious clothesline! In ring two, Brody King picks up his first elimination of the night when he tosses Young Crock to the outside.
Arn Anderson: An impressive in-ring debut for Young Crock, who entered this match at #32!
Kevin Kelly: We’re coming down to the final entries, Arn!
At #56, Logan Paul enters the match. Anderson reminds us that Paul won the first-ever Elite Warfare, ending the championship reign of BWM Inc. Chairman, Sami Zayn. The Maverick enters with momentum, scoring a double elimination as he sends Ortiz and Santana to the outside! Executioner picks away at Miguel Diaz, attempting to throw him to the outside. Anderson notes that we’ve got members of the Remnant in all three rings.
At #57, it’s the leader of the Remnant, and the current AEW Television Champion, Mr. Brodie Lee! Before Lee can even reach the ring, he’s ambushed by #58, Sami Zayn! They brawl down the ramp before finally getting into the third ring.
Arn Anderson: This is exactly what Zayn said he’d do!
Brodie Lee gets some help as Brody King leaves ring two and joins him in ring three. Together, they double-team him, as Executioner avoids the fracas and focuses on Diaz. In ring one, LA Knight scores his second elimination when he sends Scott Hall toppling to the outside!
In the second-to-last spot, Mr. Perfect enters the match at #59, immediately seeking someone in ring three to break his neck.
Kevin Kelly: What the hell is wrong with this freak?!
Arn Anderson: You know his behavior has to be unsettling for someone like you to call it out!
Kevin Kelly: What’s that supposed to mean?!
Arn Anderson: YOU HAD TITS FOR A DECADE!
As the countdown strikes zero for the final time, Finn Balor enters at the 60th and last spot. Balor immediately runs into Perfect, who lies on the ground. He looks up at Finn, pleading, asking him to step on his neck. Finn shrugs, and delivers a Coup de Grace to Perfect’s neck. He immediately spasms in orgasmic bliss, before Nia Jax scoops him up and tosses him over the top rope!
Arn Anderson: That’s two eliminations for Nia Jax! Matt Cardona and Christian remain tied for the most eliminations, with three apiece.
In ring two, Kevin Nash scoops Sean Olson up for a big powerbomb as Heyman panics. He jumps onto the apron and grabs Olson’s leg, helping him slide out of the move. Olsen hits Nash with the Olson Plunge before tossing him to the floor for his third elimination! Meanwhile, Shamrock has finally broken through The Acclaimed, Benjamin, and MVP, to meet eye to eye with MJF! He sends MJF sprawling with a huge overhead throw! MJF slides out of the ring under the bottom rope, looking to catch his breath.
In ring three, Mox drills Hulk Hogan with the Death Rider before sending him out. Nia Jax targets Miguel Diaz, but Mox nearly takes her head off with a huge lariat that topples her to the floor!
In ring one, Cool Quest finds himself the target of Anthony Bowens and Max Caster, who corner him. The much smaller Quest manages to dive out of the way just as they were about to rain down on him, causing their heads to collide! Quest stuns the crowd with his second elimination, sending Bowens to the outside!
Arn Anderson: Oh no, that can’t make MJF happy, as the protective layer of the Hurt Syndicate is beginning to fracture!
Back in ring three, Bobby Lashley is cornered by Teo and Attitude. He spots Sean Olson in ring two, which lights a fire inside of The Almighty, as he shoves Attitude away, floors Teo with a big boot, tosses Miguel Diaz to the outside, and then powerbombs Randy Savage over the top rope and to the floor!
Kevin Kelly: Bobby Lashley is clearing a path through ring three, with the Kinslayer in his sights!
Arn Anderson: Sean Olson was the man who ended Bobby Lashley’s World Championship reign! To hear Paul Heyman say it, Olson’s the slayer of kin AND beasts!
Lashley jumps to the second ring and goes after Olson, as MJF is still resting on the outside, somewhat hidden from view by the three rings. Before Lashley can reach Olson, however, he’s cut off by a House Call from Swerve Strickland!
Kevin Kelly: There’s so much history, and so much bad blood between so many of these competitors! Who can forget the war that Swerve had last season with the Hurt Syndicate?
In ring three, Attitude hits the Adjustment on Executioner, as Teo goes for the Fall From Grace on Brody King. King’s just too big, however, and Teo fails to get him into position. King slides out of it, scoops Teo up for the All Seeing Eye, and then dumps him to the outside!
Kevin Kelly: A big elimination for big Brody King!
Back in ring one, the Rhodes brothers continue to try and isolate Switchblade, but Matt Cardona manages to come out from behind and toss Goldust to the floor!
Arn Anderson: If my math’s right, that’s FOUR eliminations for Matt Cardona!
In ring two, Strickland continues to work away at Lashley until MVP directs Max Caster and Shelton Benjamin to help him. The Syndicate teams up on Swerve, but Matt Riddle provides him some relief as he hits the ripcord knee to Caster, sending him out to the floor! Back in ring three, Brody King goes back to helping Mr. Brodie Lee with Sami Zayn, as Finn Balor eliminates Attitude!
MJF reenters ring two, helping Lashley, Benjamin, and MVP with Swerve Strickland. Shamrock spots MJF once more and goes to chase after him, but MJF bails and slides into ring three! As soon as he does, he comes face-to-face with Logan Paul, as the crowd explodes!
Arn Anderson: Uh oh, I think MJF just made a big mistake!
Keivn Kelly: To say that these two men have unfinished business would be a dramatic understatement!
Logan shoves MJF hard, and he falls on his ass. He scoots back quickly and rolls back under the bottom rope before returning to ring two. Right when he does, Cool Quest charges him with a spinning wheel kick! MJF catches him mid-air and launches him like a lawn dart into Shamrock! This catches Shamrock totally off guard, and the World’s Most Dangerous Man is eliminated, taking Cool Quest with him!
Kevin Kelly: What a showing from two absolute legends of the industry, Arn!
Arn Anderson: Absolutely! I don’t think we’ll see too much more of Cool Quest, but welcome to AEW, Ken Shamrock! We can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store!
In ring three, Jesse Hash and Jon Moxley form an unlikely partnership, targeting the notoriously bad neck of Bryan Danielson. Mox drills Danielson with the Paradigm Shift, as Hash goes to the top rope, signalling for the 4:20 splash! Before he can jump, Mox betrays him and knocks him off the top ropes, sending him to the outside! This infuriates Powerhouse Hobbs in ring one, the last remaining member of the FLEX Squad in the match. He enters ring three and targets Mox, but he doesn’t notice that Christian’s followed behind him! Christian dumps Hobbs to the outside!
Arn Anderson: That’s four eliminations for Captain Charisma, who entered this match at number five! A hellacious return for the former Undisputed Champion here in his home country of Canada!
In ring two, the coordinated attacks of the Hurt Syndicate on Swerve Strickland finally pay off. Shelton hits him with a capture and release suplex, and Lashley follows it up with a spear that sends Swerve to the outside!
In ring three, Brodie Lee is directing traffic, as Brody King isolates Sami Zayn. Executioner finds himself free after hitting Danielson with a tackle, and Lee tells him to focus on Zayn! There’s reluctance in Executioner’s eyes, as Anderson recalls the friendship he shared with Zayn last season, before Benny and Danhausen forced him to betray him! Executioner slowly inches towards Zayn, before looking to Lee and telling him he can’t do it. Lee looks confused, asking him what he means.
Mr. Brodie Lee: Whose side are you on?! FINISH HIM!
Zayn throws some elbows to Brody King, breaking free. He charges at Lee, leveling him with the Helluva Kick! Lee staggers, and Executioner completes the betrayal with a massive tackle that sends both he and Lee to the outside!
Kevin Kelly: What are we witnessing?! Executioner has just turned his back on the Remnant, reuniting with Sami Zayn!
Zayn nods in approval to Executioner on the floor, but the moment is short-lived. Lee grabs the BWM Inc. Chairman by the boot, leaving him defenseless as Brody King hits a cannonball splash and tosses him to the floor! The action is nonstop, as in ring two, Matt Riddle eliminates Shelton Benjamin! Riddle and Olson have no choice but to work together to try to fend off MVP, MJF, and Bobby Lashley.
In ring one, Christian continues to impress as he sends Alistair Black to the floor, taking the lead with most eliminations at five. Anderson says we’re down to the final 15, as one of these men will have a guaranteed title shot before the season concludes. On the floor, Brodie Lee and Sami Zayn continue to brawl before they’re swarmed by BWM Inc security, which finally pulls them apart.
Back in ring three, Logan Paul finds himself the target of Jon Moxley, forcing him to bail. He enters ring two, where we’re met with the reverse of what we saw earlier, a face-to-face encounter with MJF, this time with MJF ready to charge and Paul looking horrified. MVP, at MJF’s orders, charges Paul. Logan catches him with the back body and sends him over the ropes to the floor!
As Logan gets up, he’s immediately folded in half as Lashley drills him with a hell of a spear! Lashley picks Logan up high for a gorilla press. He nods at MJF, who nods back to Lashley. Lashley sends Logan flying over the ropes! He turns to MJF, who immediately charges and tosses Lashley out!
Arn Anderson: Well, I can’t say I’m too surprised! MJF has used the Hurt Syndicate as a shield all night long, and now, when the odds are more in his favor, he betrays Lashley!
Kevin Kelly: Well, we said it’s every man for themselves!
Arn Anderson: Yeah, go ahead and tell that to the Almighty! See how he reacts!
Back in ring three, Brody King’s impressive night comes to an end, as he’s drilled with a running knee from Danielson, and tossed to the floor by Finn Balor! Danielson is then ambushed from behind and eliminated by Jon Moxley!
🎵 DING DING DING 🎵
The bell sounds, as Kevin Kelly and Arn Anderson note that we’re down to the final 10 men! As per the rules, they will all move to ring one, and the match will reset!
Jane Mouse: Ladies and gentlemen, your final ten in the 2026 Elite Warfare match are… LA KNIGHT, CODY RHODES, JAY WHITE, CHRISTIAN, MATT CARDONA, MJF, MATT RIDDLE, SEAN OLSON, JON MOXLEY, and FINN BALOR!
Before the bell can sound to restart the match, we hear a loud shout from an unfamiliar voice.
“DOC— DON’T DO IT!”
The shout isn’t coming from the ring, or from the ramp, or even from the tron. The hard cam wobbles, searching for the source of the sound.
“THIS DEFIES SCIENCE, DOC! YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND— NO ONE MAN IS CAPABLE OF HOLDING THAT KIND OF POWER!”
Sean Olson looks to Paul Heyman in confusion, as Heyman’s head whips around toward the stage, his eyes narrowing. His expression is already furious.
The camera begins to pan upward… past the entrance, past the lighting rig, and toward the catwalks. The place Olson’s brother is known to stalk, and the place Paul Heyman personally paid a group of guards to have locked down earlier in the night.
For a brief moment, there’s nothing. Then a figure steps into the light. It’s Michael J. Fox, and behind him, in a lab coat, his white hair wild, stands Doc Brown!
Michael J. Fox: Doc! You can’t just do this! You’re not thinking of the consequences!
Doc steps forward, placing both hands on Fox to steady him.
Doc Brown: Quit your shaking, Marty! It’s far too dangerous up this high! I have to do it, Marty! Do you have any idea what this represents? This kind of scientific advancement — this kind of power — it deserves to be seen by the world!
On the floor, Paul Heyman completely loses it. He’s off mic, but the camera picks up his every word.
Payl Heyman: Oh, come on! This is the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen in my life! SECURITY!!! SECURITY!!! I paid for that area to be sectioned off!
Heyman points furiously to Doc Brown, high above the ring.
Paul Heyman: You don’t get to hijack this match with a goddamn science fair!
Doc Brown: Pipe down, Mr. Hey-man.
Brown steadies Fox again, before looking out to the broader crowd in Toronto.
Doc Brown: Ladies and gentlemen, my work took me across the world… across oceans, and across continents, to Nigeria… where I finally cracked the formula! It’s very unfortunate, Mr. Hey-Man, that you mocked my place in this business. Mocked the idea that I didn’t belong. Mocked the fact that I didn’t have a client… because that’s changed! And for your arrogance, you will pay!
The arena lights darken, and everything’s enveloped in darkness.
Suddenly, flashing green strobe lights illuminate the arena, as an intense drum beat accompanies an unfamiliar theme…
OBA FEMI STEPS THROUGH THE CURTAINS, and the capacity crowd is at a fever pitch! In the ring, the other nine competitors have cleared the way, leaving the Kinslayer all alone! From the floor, Heyman shouts at Olson that they’ve got to go, but Olson stands his ground!
Oba marches to the ring and steps over the ropes, as Olson immediately ambushes him, much to Heyman’s dismay from the floor. Oba absorbs Olson’s lefts and rights and swats away his kicks like they’re nothing. He wraps both of his massive hands around Olson’s throat, lifting him off the mat! Olson’s legs kick as Oba chokes the life out of him, before tossing him to the outside!
Heyman tries to get Olson up, but Femi is just too quick. He continues the assault on the outside, shoving Heyman aside. The camera pans to Doc Brown, who looks crazier than ever in the rafters, watching the result of his work with a wicked smile spanning his face.
Oba drags Olson to the commentary area and hits his explosive pop-up powerbomb to Olson through the table!
The crowd explodes as his music hits once more, and the ringside doctors rush to Olson’s aid. Senior Official Michael McMahon whispers something to Jane Mouse, who relays the message to Arn Anderson. Oba leaves, and medics rush into the ring to assist the doctors.
Arn Anderson: Ladies and gentlemen, per Senior Official Michael McMahon, the Kinslayer Sean Olson is unable to continue this match!
Kevin Kelly: All night long, Paul Heyman’s worried that it’d be Brandon Lee who caused a distraction for his client… but ultimately, this attack at the hands of Oba Femi… this directive by Doc Brown… this is all Paul Heyman’s fault!
The bell finally sounds, the remaining nine Elite Warfare entrants having had time to rest up a bit. Jon Moxley immediately targets Matt Riddle, who does his best to fend off the attack. Unfortunately for Riddle, his second foray into the Elite Warfare match — undoubtedly more successful than his first — ends as Moxley sends him to the floor!
Christian targets Matt Cardona, as Anderson notes that of the first five entrants to this match, four are still remaining! Cody Rhodes catches Finn Balor with the Cross Rhodes, only for Christian to target him with the Unprettier! Just as Christian hits it, he’s dumped to the outside by Matt Cardona!
Kevin Kelly: What a return for Christian! It didn’t end the way he wanted it to, but I think he surpassed most people’s expectations!
Meanwhile, Balor works over LA Knight, as Moxley enters the fray. The three exchange signature moves, before MJF comes up from behind and tosses Moxley and Balor to the floor! MJF turns and is hit with the Radio Silence from Cardona, who is then in turn hit with the Blade Runner! Jay White tosses Cardona to the floor! The crowd is ravenous.
Kevin Kelly: AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR!
Arn Anderson: Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, and Jay White started this match! MJF came in at the halfway point, and one of these men will be the number one contender!
A massive brawl breaks out as Knight and Cody exchange blows, while White and MJF do the same. They all leave the ring at various points under the bottom rope, as the action takes over the ringside area. MJF is nearly leveled by a dropkick from Knight, but he moves and Knight spills into the wreckage of the commentary table!
Michael McMahon, Lance Storm, and Kenzie swarm the area to check on him, but that proves to be troublesome as Jay White launches with a twisting splash from the top ropes! White crashes into the refs, Knight, and MJF! Kenzie appears to be the only one who avoided a total disaster as the competitors return to the ring.
LA Knight dumps Cody Rhodes over the top rope, as the crowd is shocked!
Arn Anderson: I keep hearing it in my head, Kevin… “If not now, then when?” Will there ever be a time for the American Nightmare to hold a world championship?
Kevin Kelly: Never’s a long time away, Arn, so anything’s possible. But it’s not going to be as a result of the 2026 Elite Warfare match.
Disbelief washes across Cody’s face on the floor, before he realizes that the officials are still down from the melee. Kenzie was checking on the other refs and didn’t see his elimination. The crowd rains down with boos as Cody Rhodes slides back inside the ring, grabs LA Knight, and tosses him to the floor!
Kevin Kelly: What the hell is Cody doing?! He was eliminated!
Arn Anderson: I don’t think the refs saw it, and Cody took an opening!
Knight argues with Kenzie, but she refuses to reverse her decision, as security comes to escort the Megastar out. MJF smirks at Cody taking a shortcut, before going to work on Jay White. He hits White with the Heatseeker, and eliminates him!
Arn Anderson: We’re down to the final two men, Kevin! MJF… and Cody Rhodes! One of these men will win Elite Warfare!
They immediately meet in the center of the ring, trading blows and signature moves. Cody goes for the Disaster Kick, but MJF counters it into a variation of a Cross Rhodes! Anderson said that the rivalry between these two dates all the way back to the first season, and recalls their Starrcade encounter in 2023.
MJF tries to send Cody over the ropes, but he lands on the apron. They trade blows, but MJF positions him for the Heatseeker! Cody hits a low blow! The crowd is raining down boos now, as Rhodes pushes on.
MJF staggers to his knees, still selling the low blow. Cody jumps to the second rope… DISASTER KICK!
The boos are so loud that the feed can’t even pick up what commentary says next. Cody hits the Cross Rhodes…. AND TOSSES MJF TO THE OUTSIDE!
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Confetti falls from the rafters, but unlike with the joyous Briscoe victory earlier in the night, this celebration is met with ever louder boos! Trash begins to fly through the stands towards the ring, as Cody watches on with a horrified reaction.
Arn Anderson: Cody Rhodes… the man who’s always just shy of winning the big one… tonight, he took an opportunity, an unpopular one at that! I don’t think Rhodes expected this reaction!
Kevin Kelly: Oh, bullshit! He didn’t see an opportunity — he took a shortcut!!! Cody Rhodes does not deserve to be standing in that ring with his arm raised, and this crowd is letting him know it!
Arn Anderson: Folks, thank you so much for joining us! We’re off next week, but we’ll be back on the 26th!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 